Everything you need to know about GlastonBARRY 2024

That famous ‘big top’ tent has been erected in Romilly Park, ready to entertain up to 6,000 people each day who are going to descend on the western side of Barry through Friday to Sunday, but how did an idea that began with a little show in Memo Arts Centre 11 years ago, end up becoming so big?

“It’s just kept getting bigger and bigger,” explained organiser and Barry boy Matt Blumberg.

Every year Mr Blumberg hires out the ‘big top’ and this year it’s the biggest yet, coming in at a whopping 75 by 45metres in area covered.

Mr Blumberg described how the idea started with him and his cousin at the Memo, then they moved GlastonBARRY to Romilly Park the next year (in the white VIP tent - which you’ll see if you’re attending this weekend, and it will make you realise how big GlastonBARRY has grown…)

“It’s crazy,” said Mr Blumberg. “We’ve sold tickets to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada.”

Why do people travel so far to visit a tribute festival in Barry?

“£60 might seem a lot for a ticket, but people outside of Barry cannot believe how cheap it is,” explained Mr Blumberg.

He’s got a point. Compared to festivals such as the Glastonbury which can come in at £300 plus, £60 doesn’t seem to bad.

And for that £60 you’re getting quality (tribute) acts performing on a stage that is professional festival standard.

GlastonBARRY organiser Matt Blumberg (Image: Newsquest)

While it might not be THE Foo Fighters this weekend, or THE Abba, the tribute acts are meticulously quality checked. If they are not up to standard, they do not make it to GlastonBARRY.

Mr Blumberg and his team see the tribute acts and meet them in person to see if they do make the GalstonBARRY grade – this year Simply Red made the grade, having sent in exciting promo vids.

“We’re contacted by acts all the time,” said Mr Blumberg.

GlastonBARRY started at Memo Arts Centre, then moved into the white VIP tent (in the distance)..... (Image: Newsquest)

Now it's in the big top tent (left) (Image: Newsquest)

And GlastonBARRY does have an effect on Barry. Mr Blumberg estimates around half the punters attending - 18,000 over the three days - are from outside of Barry, bringing people into the town.

“We recently did and event calculator,” said Mr Blumberg, “and we worked out GlastonBARRY can raise as much as £1.8m for the local economy each year with the people we bring into the town and the jobs we create.”

The biggest testament though is the opinion of the people who come to enjoy the festival.

“The testament is they come by chance thinking it’s just a tribute festival, then thy come back next year bringing a new group of people,” said Mr Blumberg.

GlastonBARRY starts on Friday with the juniors – Harry Styles and Taylor Swift headlining. Then the main event begins on Saturday (Foo Fighters headlining) and into Sunday (ABBA headlining).

The festival goes 11am to 9pm each day.

There are still a few tickets available. Go to glastonbarry.com/welcome to find out more.